Every NFL Team's Quarterback Financial Status for 2018

As we head toward the finish line of the 2017 NFL regular season,12 teams appear to have question marks surrounding their quarterback position heading toward 2018. We'll take a close look at each team's QB status for 2018, including cap figures, dead cap scenarios, implications to trade or release players, and our thoughts going forward. Keep the conversation going @spotrac

It's widely expected that Palmer will retire after the 2017 season, but if he doesn't, the Cardinals will have a decision to make by March 18th, when a $1.5M roster bonus is due. Prior to that, Arizona can clear $14M in space per his release/trade/retirement. While re-signing current starter Blaine Gabbert appears to be a safe option, expect the Cardinals to select a QB fairly high this April.

Ryan will be set to enter the final year of his contract in 2018, making him a prime candidate for an extension this offseason. He carries a calculated market value near $29M per year putting him inline to be the highest paid player in the history of football. Schaub's $5.5M cap hit in 2018 may be too rich for Atlanta's blood. They'll clear $4.25M in space per his release.

Flacco's had a poor, if not awful 2017 campaign in Baltimore with 9 TD, 11 INT, and a Passer Rating dipping under 75 through 11 games. Unfortunately for the Ravens, his contract structure has him locked in through at least the 2018 season. After 2018 Baltimore can designate Flacco a Post June 1st release, taking on dead cap hits of $8M in 2019 & $8M in 2020, clearing $18.5M in 2019.

Certainly a situation to watch come February, the Bills appear poised to move on from Taylor, a move that would clear $9.4M in cap space, but would leave them drawing straws at the QB position next season. It seems likely that the Bills will use one of its high draft picks to select a QB this April, but that doesn't necessarily mean Taylor is a surefire release. Tyrod is due a $6M roster bonus on March 16th, so the Bills will make this decision quickly.

Newton has the 8-3 Panthers in the thick of the playoff hunt, and is locked into his current contract through at least the 2018 season, after which the Panthers can clear at least $14.7M in space by moving on. Carolina will need to address their backup QB this offseason, likely considering a reunion with longtime QB2 Derek Anderson.

The Bears pulled the plug quickly on free agent signing Glennon, and certainly won't keep him and his $16M cap figure in the fold next season. Glennon's release will clear $11.5M in cap space, nearly double the cap it will cost to account for Trubisky next season.

This will be a team to keep an eye on come as the 5-6 Bengals are in danger of missing the playoffs. With McCarron set for restricted free agency, and Dalton's numbers a bit down from 2016, Cincy may be in for an overhaul at the QB position. Dalton's release would clear $13.9M in 2018 cap.

With a projected $108M in cap space next season, the Browns can go any direction they please at the QB position. It seems likely that Kizer is given every opportunity to start again in 2018, but bringing in a free agent option and/or drafting a rookie QB fairly high are also strong possibilities. Kessler is a candidate for release.

Dak's numbers are down a bit from his spectacular rookie campaign (as expected), but the Cowboys still have the best steal in the game for another few years. They'll need to address a low-cost, experienced backup in 2018.

The Broncos are primed to blow this position up from the bottom to the top and make a splash this offseason. Lynch appears to be a 1st round bust, while Siemian, a 2015 7th rounder, has been an adequate placeholder, but doesn't appear to be a long-term option. It would cost Denver an additional $1.9M in 2018 cap to release Lynch this offseason. With a potentially strong free agent & draft quarterback class forthcoming, look for the Broncos to be heavily active.

The Lions have Stafford locked in until at least through 2020, as his $50M signing bonus allocates plenty of dead cap over the first 4 seasons. With cao figures of $26.5M, $29.5M, and $31.5M over the next three seasons, Detroit will need be creative with how they spend their cap dollars elsewhere going forward.

Aaron Rodgers has 2 years & $42M remaining on his contract in Green Bay, none of which is guaranteed currently. When healthy, he's arguably the most valuable player in the league, and should be in line for a deal approaching $30M per year over the course of the next 12 months. Hundley's been an admirable fill in for the injured Rodgers, and will enter a contract year in 2018, meaning Green Bay will likely be addressing both their starting and backup QB contracts this coming year.

Watson was in the process of becoming a star when injury took away the rest of his 2017 campaign. The Texans look to have their man for the foreseeable future, and with cap figures of $3.1M, $3.7M, & $4.4M through 2020, they'll be afforded the ability to able to build around him. Current QB Tom Ssavage will head to free agency, meaning Houston will need to address the backup role this offseason.

Any speculation of the Colts moving on from oft-injured Andrew Luck will likely be pushed to after 2018. Luck's $12M salary for 2018 + $6M in roster bonuses fully guarntee on March 18th, raising his dead cap total to $37.2M. Were they to trade Luck prior to this date, Indy would take on a $19.2M dead cap hit in 2018 - a savings of just $5.2M. This discussion gets a little more interesting after 2018, when a trade or outright release prior to the new league year would leave behind a more tenable $12.8M in dead cap, $14.725M saved. On the other side of this coin, Jacoby Brissett has shown flashes of positive play in a replacement role for the Colts, and is a potential trade candidate come March/April. He holds no dead cap with the Colts.

The Jaguars surprised a few people by exercising Bortles' 5th-year option salary for 2018, which rings in at $19.053M. This figure does not become fully guaranteed until the start of the new league year (March 14th), meaning Jacksonville can cut ties with Bortles prior to this without any cap implications. Recent reports show this may be the road Jacksonville is trending down.

Another situation to keep a close eye on, Smith & the Chiefs have taken a nosedive over the past month, placing much speculation both on his status the rest of the season, & his future in KC. From a financial standpoint, moving on from Smith makes good business sense. His trade or release prior to March 16th ($2M roster bonus due) would leave behind just $3.6M in dead cap, clearing $17M in space. If the Chiefs believe Mahomes is ready to take the reigns, this move is a no-brainer. But from a football standpoint, questions remain.

After a bit of a sloppy 2016, Rivers' numbers are back in shape this season, leaving little to believe he won't be back in the Chargers' fold for at least 1 more year. Rivers' status after 2018 may come into question, as the then 37 year old will carry a $23M cap figure & just $7M in initial dead cap.

The Rams brought in plenty of toys for Goff to play with this summer, and he's responded well, leading the long embattled franchise deep into the playoff hunt this season. Goff won't be eligible for an extension until after 2018, holding cap figures of $7.6M $ 8.8M through 2019, with a 5th-year option available in 2020. LA will likely move on from Mannion this offseason, as his release represents nearly $1M in cap savings.

It's fairly evident at this point that the Dolphins are a better team when Tannehill's their starting QB. While his contract provides a fairly clean "out" this offseason, all signs point to Tannehill getting another year out of this deal. After 2018, Miami can cut him loose for just $2.3M in dead cap ($18.75M). Both Jay Cutler & Matt Moore's contracts expire after 2017.

The Vikings are the only team in football who have zero quarterbacks signed in 2018 currently. Moreso - all three of their current QBs pose interesting questions about their future. Minnesota is staring down a "Mamma Mia" plot, where only one of Case Keenum , Teddy Bridgewater , and Sam Bradford are likely back in purple next year. The next 5+ weeks of football could help to shed some light on this scenario.

All signs point to Brady at the helm for at least the remainder of his current contract (2 more years, $30M, cap figures of $22M in each season). Should 2018 take a turn for the worse, the Patriots can get out of this contract after next season for a $7M dead cap charge ($15M saved). Hoyer's status may be affected by the Patriots' move to find a replacement for Brady, potentially in the upcoming April draft.

The Saints have built an offense that doesn't require Drew Brees to throw 50 times, allowing him to breathe a little as his contract sets to expire. All signs point to a short-term extension for Brees, especially with $18M in dead cap already in play for 2018. This dead money will be allowed to spread out in $6M increments for each new year Brees is signed to.

The Giants finally appear poised to stir the pot at the QB position in 2018. Eli's benching gives NY a chance to view other options, lose more games, and keep Eli healthy should they look to trade him next spring. Trading Eli would leave behind $12.4M in dead cap to NY ($9.8M saved), leaving his new team with cap figures of $16M & $17M through 2019. If a trade isn't plausible, look for the Giants to release Manning prior to March 16th, when a $5M roster bonus is due.

The Jets will be another team in the thick of a QB hunt this spring. With around $75M in cap space for 2018, they'll have plenty of ammo to get their man - or a few of them. NY will clear another $476,000 by releasing Hackenberg.

Derek Carr's 5 year $125M extension looked good in the newspaper, but the nuts and bolts of this deal can make this a 2 year $47M contract fairly easily. While Carr will account for $25M in cap next season, the Raiders can move on from him after 2018 for a tenable $7.5M dead cap hit ($15M savings). If they feel confident in Carr in a more long-term manner, expect Oakland to restructure his already guaranteed $15M roster bonus next season, a move that would clear $12M in space for 2018.

The Eagles appear to have their long-term franchise QB (and potential MVP candidate) in Wentz, who carries cap figures of $7.2M & $8.4M before a 5th-year option available in 2020. Philly will need to take a bit of a hit to release Foles this spring, as his $3M roster bonus for 2018 is guaranteed, leading to $5.4M in dead cap ($2.2M savings). The Eagles can't extend Wentz until after 2018.

After speculation of retirement this past offseason, all eyes will be on Roethlisberger after 2017. The 35-year-old holds a $23.2M cap figure, with $12.4M in dead cap for 2018 - but a $5M roster bonus is due on March 18th. If he returns, a restructure may be needed to get the Steelers in better cap standing.

Beathard showed strong potential in his 7 games played this season, but the future appears to be Jimmy Garoppolo, who will certainly be offered a franchise tag ($22M+) next February and given every chance to start for SF in 2018. The rest of the lineup is in complete question - and with $110M+ in projceted cap space at their disposal, look for plenty of noise out of the Bay area this spring.

Wilson has 2 years & $32.5M remaining on his contract in Seattle, through 2019. A sizeable restructure this season pumped up his dead cap to $16.5M next year, and $8.2M in 2019, making it hard to maneuver his deal in the short-term. Look for the Seahawks to restructure/extend Wilson after 2018 to supplant him financially, and better manage a his cap figures going forward.

Winston has struggled in 2017, likely due in large part to injury - but some speculate a bit of regression in performance as well. Tampa may be reluctant to consider an extension
this spring, and will also need to decide on his 5th-year option for 2019 (though this should be expected).

Mariota's numbers are down across the board in 2017, but he's done enough to carry the Titans to a 1st place 7-4 in the AFC South thus far. With around $45M in projected cap space for 2018, Tennessee may consider a long-term extension for their QB1.

It will be tough to look away from Kirk Cousins over the next half a year or so, as the annual discussion of his compensation will once again rear it's head. HIs situation likely goes 1 of 3 ways: The Redskins let me walk into free agency next March, Washington applies a Transition Tag ($28.78M), allowing other teams to submit offer sheets, which can be matched, Washington applies an exclusive third Franchise Tag ($34.4M), fully guaranteed at the time of signing, handing all rights to Washington for 2018. Any way you slice it, Cousins will be a hot topic this March.